Leicester Tigers team news

Brad Thorn and Graham Kitchener return from injury to line up in the Leicester Tigers forward pack in Saturday’s Aviva Premiership Round 20 fixture against London Welsh at Welford Road (3pm).

World Cup winner Thorn has missed the last two games, while Kitchener has been sidelined since the win at London Irish in February.

International trio Michele Rizzo, Leonardo Ghiraldini and Logovi'i Mulipola start in the front row, with Dan Cole rested and Marcos Ayerza ruled out by the hamstring injury suffered in the defeat at Saracens a fortnight ago.

There are changes too in the backline, with Mathew Tait and George Catchpole linking up in a new-look midfield. Blaine Scully and Adam Thompstone are on the wings and Niall Morris at full-back.

Announcing the team, Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: "We were disappointed with the result and how we played at Saracens and now we've got three huge games left with a place in the top four as the target."

Tickets for Saturday's game are still available from the Tigers ticket office. Call in at Welford Road or phone 0116 319 8888 (option 2) during office hours 8.30am-5pm Friday and from 9am up to kick-off on Saturday. Or book online at www.leicestertigers.com any time. A print-at-home function is available on online ticket purchases for home games.